Latest news with #TheCompanyofTrees
Glasgow Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow and Lanarkshire to perform at National Theatre event
The Glasgow Acting Academy and Hamilton District Youth Theatre are among 10 groups chosen for the National Theatre Connections Festival. This event celebrates the reopening of the Dorfman Theatre in London, which has been shut since November 2024 for government-funded refurbishments. Hamilton District Youth Theatre (Image: Supplied) Read more: Former Glasgow football ground could become nationally important site The Connections Festival is a cornerstone of the National Theatre, celebrated annually to champion young UK talent and the power of youth theatre. In its 30th year, more than 5,000 youngsters from more than 270 companies and schools have performed at home venues and 33 professional stages throughout the country. The Hamilton District Youth Theatre, which marked its 35th anniversary last year, will perform The Company of Trees by Jane Bodie on June 25. Glasgow Acting Academy, a charity committed to making performing arts accessible to all, will take the stage with No Regrets by Gary McNair on June 27. Clare Ryan, director of the Hamilton District Youth Theatre, said: "Connections has been an unforgettable experience. "Personally, it's given me the opportunity to develop so many valuable skills, and the level of support throughout has been outstanding." Elsa Tinney, a young participant from Hamilton District Youth Theatre, added: 'Connections has been a fantastic experience. As a small Scottish company, representation on the National's stage is incredibly valuable for us, and this opportunity is one we are extremely grateful for. "We have all made lifelong friendships and become so much closer throughout this process. "Connections is a wonderful creation for young people across the country which we would highly recommend." Maddie Grieve, director of Glasgow Acting Academy, said: "Connections has given our young performers a creative playground where they've tackled new writing with energy, collaborated as an ensemble, discovered their own voices, and created something truly special. "They've worked so hard, and being selected is an incredible recognition of their talent, dedication, and passion for theatre.' Louis, 18, a participant with Glasgow Acting Academy, said 'National Theatre Connections has provided me with valuable, transferable skills that I will be able to use wherever my future takes me. "I've made life-long friends and it has proven to be an unforgettable experience' Read more: Plea issued for 'vital' foster carers as Glasgow numbers drop Indhu Rubasingham, director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, said: "I am really pleased to welcome 10 youth groups from all corners of the UK to the NT for this landmark anniversary festival of Connections. "Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the power of theatre-making." "I look forward to celebrating the extraordinary energy and creative vision these young performers will bring to our stages this June.' The Connections Festival has offered 125,000 young people across the UK hands-on experience in all aspects of staging and performing new plays over its 30 years. Tickets for the shows, priced at £5 per performance or £8 for two performances in one evening, will be available for purchase from May 20, with all performances offering captions. The festival also invites applications for its 2026 event, which will be held at the Lowry in Salford, aiming to reach a wider audience across the UK.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Hamilton youth theatre group heads for London stage
Members of Hamilton district youth theatre have been invited to perform at the National Theatre as part of the nationwide Connections festival Budding Lanarkshire actors will be taking to the London stage next month after being selected to showcase their talents at a prestigious arts event. Hamilton district youth theatre is one of just 10 groups from across the UK to be invited to perform at the National Theatre's Connections festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary and marking the reopening of its Dorfman theatre space after six months of upgrading and refurbishment work. Members will perform The Company of Trees in the capital on June 25, after being selected from the hundreds of youth theatre companies taking part in this year's nationwide programme which sees participants take on all kinds of theatre roles both onstage and behind the scenes. Hamilton district youth theatre marked its 35th anniversary last year, described as 'over three decades of entertaining audiences and nurturing young talent across Hamilton and Lanarkshire'. They have spent the past three months taking part in Connections, the National Theatre's annual festival to 'champion the talent of young people across the UK', which sees participants build their creative skills and gain hands-on experience across the theatre process, taking on roles including costume, lighting, sound design, directing and score composing. More than 270 companies and schools have taken part this year, and the Hamilton group is one of only two from Scotland and 10 overall who will be taking part in next month's special showcase week at the National Theatre in London. Hamilton group director Clare Ryan said: 'Connections has been an unforgettable experience. Personally, it's given me the opportunity to develop so many valuable skills, and the level of support throughout has been outstanding. 'The team behind Connections are incredibly generous, kind, and encouraging, making the entire journey one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences I've ever had.' Young participant Elsa Tinney agreed that taking part has been 'a fantastic experience' and added: 'As a small Scottish company, representation on the National's stage is incredibly valuable for us, and this opportunity is one we are extremely grateful for. 'We have all made lifelong friendships and become so much closer throughout this process. Connections is a wonderful creation for young people across the country which we would highly recommend.' Indhu Rubasingham, director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, said: 'I am really pleased to welcome 10 youth groups from all corners of the UK to the National Theatre for this landmark anniversary festival of Connections – everyone should have the opportunity to experience the power of theatre-making, and I look forward to celebrating the extraordinary energy and creative vision these young performers will bring to our stages this June.' The Hamilton performers are following in the footsteps of Connections alumni Rose Ayling-Ellis, Keira Knightley, David Oyelowo and Callum Scott Howells by taking part in the programme, which gives young people 'first-hand experience in all aspects of staging and performing new plays', with 10 new works from top playwrights being commissioned each year.
